Woodland man doesn't let paralysis rule his life

"The first wheel-chair home in Woodland will be built soon for James E. Newman, 29-year-old local veteran who is almost totally paralyzed from the hip down."

So begins a Daily Democrat story from over half a century ago, when Newman and his "pretty, young wife" Ruth were still fixing to move into their new home on Eunice Drive.

Back then, "I had a hand-controlled car and I had crutches" for getting around, Newman said recently. The World War II veteran had survived German shrapnel and a case of trench foot, only to contract polio in an Army hospital and lose much of the function in his legs.

But it never seemed to slow Newman down, as the native Woodlander continued to work -- he was a clerk at the Dixon Livestock Auction for 37 years -- hunt, garden and raise his family.

The family moved into the home in November 1950. It was the first house on the street, and many of the roads around were gravel, Newman said.

Since then Ruth moved on and Newman's second wife Ester passed away. Bruce is older himself, and lives nearby in Woodland. Newman also has two grandchildren, one in Woodland and one in Willows.

And Newman, who turned 92 on Thursday, Jan. 17, lives in the same house on Eunice.

"I'm gonna stay here till I kick the bucket," he said.

That could be a long time from now. Although Newman uses a motorized wheelchair these days, he is alert and healthy-looking as ever, and in excellent spirits.

"I feel good, I feel good," he said. "As good as I (did) 20 years ago, 30 years ago."

The home is much like others in that neighborhood, only it seems roomier inside -- the better for maneuvering a wheelchair through it.

"All the doors are 3-foot-wide, the hall is an extra foot wide," he explained. The bathroom is wider than normal, too, and ramps lead up to the front and back doors. Hunting trophies adorn the walls in one room.

The three-bedroom house sits on a double lot, so there's plenty of space all around. Newman said he bought the lots and obtained help from the VA in designing and building Woodland's first wheelchair home.

"They're still doing it," he said of the VA's work to help disabled vets. "For the guys that are in bad need."

Newman's total price tag for the lots, house and everything: $16,000.

The 92-year-old recalls others details from the old days.

"When I first can remember it, it was about (population) 3,000" in Woodland, he said.

"It used to be a big treat to come into Woodland. When I was a kid we'd go to the Chicago Cafe, and have lunch for 50 cents."